Thalassotherapy

The word thalassotherapy comes from the Greek words: thalasso (sea) and therapeia (therapy). It is a technique that is based on the therapeutic effects offered by the sea and other related elements such as algae or mud, as well as sand or the sun, which is part of the marine environment. Thalassotherapy is not a technique because in ancient Greece the therapeutic virtues of marine waters were already mentioned by the fathers of medicine such as Hippocrates or Galen.

• It is based on… the therapeutic effects of sea water and the marine environment.
• It can be practiced on ... the beach or in thalassotherapy centers.
• It is beneficial in ... skin ailments, respiratory, to improve anxiety and stress ...

Benefits of sea water

Sea water, unlike mineral-medicinal waters, has a high percentage of minerals and in its composition, such as sodium, hence its salty taste. Also, curiously, not all the "seas" have the same composition. That is, the base will be the same, but the concentrations may vary. This is due to different factors such as the geographical situation, the characteristics of the terrain ...

Even the sea itself can vary by region. It will be precisely these particularities at the level of composition in minerals and trace elements that determine the indications for therapy. Another differential feature of seawater is also given by the microorganisms and algae that inhabit it.

On the other hand, the movement of the water already provides us with a circulatory stimulus, it acts as a massage. This fact is enough and is a point to keep in mind in cases of people who need to relax or act at the level of their blood circulation.

Where to practice it

To benefit from sea water we can go to the coast or coastline but also to the thalassotherapy centers that exist, which give us the opportunity to enjoy their treatments based on sea water.

Those who choose to take advantage of the option of bathing directly in the sea are already practicing thalassotherapy. In this way, by bathing in sea water, minerals and other elements from the sea penetrate through the skin into our body. It is the most basic therapy, but it is still thalassotherapy.

The fact of being on the beach also allows us to benefit from heliotherapy (virtues of the sun's rays taken in moderation), and psamomatherapy or arenotherapy (which consists of using the properties of sand as a therapeutic agent, for example walking through it ) to complete your benefits. Without forgetting the virtues of the sea breeze at the respiratory level.

Thalassotherapy centers

Thalassotherapy centers, as well as mineral-medicinal water spas, offer their visitors the opportunity to enjoy and receive multiple treatments based on the

• Relaxing or stimulating baths, to which essential oils are added to achieve a more complete moment of relaxation.
• Sea water showers that, accompanied by a massage, leave perfect skin and even better muscle tone. Minerals that provide nutrients are absorbed through the skin, not only at superficial but also deeper levels.
• Seaweed or sea mud wrappers are characteristic methods of thalassotherapy centers. If they are done properly, they are mixed with sea water and the positive effects that they inherently offer us are further enhanced. Seaweed is rich in vitamins and has a high iodine content. They are usually recommended for weight loss, stress therapy or to improve blood circulation.

When is it advisable

They tend to benefit, above all, people who suffer from skin diseases such as or. Also, at the level of the joints, when inflammatory or rheumatic problems appear, seawater therapy helps to cope with pain and even improves evolution.

Likewise, its recommendation is evident in cases of stress or exhaustion, as well as in people who are diagnosed with respiratory ailments, since the marine environment offers them possibilities of improvement, for example, in sinusitis.

In general, in addition, the bath and the marine environment offer health and relaxation to everyone who wants to enjoy it.